General Requirements for Completion of M.S. or Ph.D. Degree in Soil Science
General
All students in the Ph.D. program are particularly urged to become thoroughly
familiar with the details presented in the Graduate Bulletin and the regular
Graduate School announcements for numerous aspects of the program relating
to registration, special forms, deadlines, and Graduate procedures.
Graduate Tenure
The recommended maximum period of full-time study (equivalent to half-time
appointment) leading to the M.S. degree is 2.5 calendar years, and that
of the Ph.D., 3.5 calendar years beyond the M.S. degree. These time periods
may be extended by non-resident status or by formal written petition,
signed by the advisor, to the Graduate Advisory Committee. Duration of
assistantships should be established at the time of appointment.
THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA DOES NOT HAVE A RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT FOR
GRADUATE DEGREES.
Academic Performance
The Graduate Advisory Committee maintains surveillance on the overall
academic standards of the graduate program and works closely with all
staff advisors to carry out this function. Evaluation of student performances
is generally made on receipt of Progress Reports from the Graduate School.
Students are expected to maintain an average of 3.0 in the M.S. and Ph.D.
program course work to remain in good standing. The Graduate Advisory
Committee may place a student on probation for failure to meet scholastic
or other requirements, including thesis research. Removal from probation
is accomplished upon specific recommendation from the student's major
advisor to the Graduate Advisory Committee. Generally, registration beyond
the second semester will be refused a student whose GPA is less than 3.0.
Seminar - Soil 8128
The departmental seminar (Soil 8128) provides a forum for the presentation
of topics of interest and significance to soil science. As such, all faculty
and graduate students are expected to attend, support the seminar, contribute
to it, and enter into the discussions. One credit in seminar is required
in each M.S. and two seminar credits are required in each Ph.D. program
in Soil Science. One of these should be a presentation which reviews literature
available in the student's specific field of research, and which lays
out a possible research program for discussion. This should be scheduled
within the first 18 months after acceptance into the program. Seminar
requirements are to be satisfied and grades recorded before defense of
thesis is scheduled. Arrangements for satisfying the seminar credit are
made with the Department Seminar Committee. This involves formal presentation
of a seminar topic. All seminar credits are graded on the (S-N) system.
If requested by the student or advisor, the seminar committee and the
advisor will meet with the student to discuss and constructively evaluate
formal seminar presentations.
Teaching Experience - Soil 8550
All students enrolled in graduate studies in Soil Science are required
to assist in some phase of departmental teaching since experience in teaching
and preparation of laboratory courses is considered an essential part
of advanced study. Students in M.S. and Ph.D. programs are also required
to take one credit of SOIL 8550.
Teaching assignments will be made by the Teaching Experience Coordinator
at the start of each academic year.
The one credit for Soil 8550 can be counted as part of the 14 credits minimum
requirement for the M.S. degree.
Graduate Student Education in Research and Professional Ethics - SOIL 8123
Students must take this required class to meet the requirement for professional
ethics in research.
Minor Programs Relating to Soil Science
Minor programs in other fields which may be of interest to graduate students
in Soil Science. Course requirements for these minors vary from six to
nine credits for the M.S. minor to 12-14 for the Ph.D. minor, and will
often include specific courses. The minor program must usually be approved
by the Director of Graduate Studies in the minor field. Where a formal
minor is proposed, both external members of the student's committee must
be from that program.
The Minor in Soil Science
M.S. or Ph.D. degree candidates in other fields who wish to minor in
Soil Science may do so with the approval of the Director of Graduate Studies
and under the direction of a member of the Graduate Faculty in Soil Science
serving as the minor advisor. The M.S. degree minor requires a minimum
of nine graduate level credits of regular course work (not special problems)
in Soil Science. The Ph.D. degree minor requires a minimum of 18 graduate
level credits, including two of the Soil or Climate core courses, and
one credit hour for Soil 8128 (Seminar). All courses in the minor or supporting
field must be taken as the A-F grading system unless approved by petition
to the Graduate Advisory Committee or offered on an S-N basis only, such
as Seminar (Soil 8128), Teaching Experience (Soil 8550), and Colloquia
(Soil 8110).
Grievance Procedures for Graduate Students
Grievances related to graduate study are limited to non-academic matters:
i.e. decisions or judgements concerning a student's scholastic performance
are not considered to be grievable. The grievance procedure follows the
guidelines established by the University. Information on the procedures
in filing a grievance can be obtained by contacting the Departmental Grievance
Officer.
Before initiating formal grievance procedures graduate students are urged
to seek alternative remedies within the Department. The recommended course
of action is: 1) Contact the President of the Graduate Student Association
for information and suggestions; 2) Consult with a faculty member in whom
the student has trust. Depending on the issue the faculty member may or
may not be the Grievance Officer, a thesis advisor, or the Director of
Graduate Studies; 3) if the faculty member is not able to resolve the
issue the student should go to the Grievance Officer, the Director of
Graduate Studies, or the Department Head; 4) If the issue is one that
might be better solved by involving more than one faculty member, the
issue should be brought before the Graduate Advisory Committee or an ad
hoc committee convened by the Department Head or the Grievance Officer.
If the issue is still unresolved, the Grievance Officer should be contacted
regarding the procedures for filing a formal grievance.
Council of Graduate Students
The Council of Graduate Students (COGS) is the official governing body
representing graduate students at the University. COGS provides opportunities
for graduate students to participate actively in University administrative
and policy decisions. Graduate students in each degree-granting program
are entitled to elect one representative to serve on COGS, which also
recruits student representatives for the Graduate School Policy and Review
Councils, the University Senate, and many College of Liberal Arts and
University-wide committees. In addition, COGS provides ombudsman services
for graduate students and disseminates information, primarily through
the Gradletter and through general meetings held twice per semester. Information
on housing University governance, and grievance procedures is available
from the COGS office.
Students may contact COGS at 409 Johnston Hall, University of Minnesota,
101 Pleasant Street S.E., Minneapolis, MN 55455 (612/626-1612).
Graduate Student Participation in Departmental Activities
A majority of the departmental committees includes at least one voting
graduate student member who participates in making policies. Graduate
student representatives are elected by graduate students from among volunteers
wishing to serve on the different committees. Student committee members
report directly to the Graduate Club chair, who, in turn, is the communication
link with the department graduate student body. In addition, the Graduate
Club chair or COGS representative attends all departmental meetings in
an official capacity. In addition, students organize social activities,
give seminars, teach and instruct.
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